withdraw
Americanverb (used with object)
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to draw back, away, or aside; take back; remove.
She withdrew her hand from his. He withdrew his savings from the bank.
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to retract or recall.
to withdraw an untrue charge.
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to cause (a person) to undergo withdrawal from addiction to a substance.
verb (used without object)
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to go or move back, away, or aside; retire; retreat.
to withdraw from the room.
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to remove oneself from some activity, competition, etc..
He withdrew before I could nominate him.
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to cease using or consuming an addictive narcotic (followed byfrom ).
to withdraw from heroin.
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Parliamentary Procedure. to remove an amendment, motion, etc., from consideration.
verb
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(tr) to take or draw back or away; remove
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(tr) to remove from deposit or investment in a bank, building society, etc
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(tr) to retract or recall (a statement, promise, etc)
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(intr) to retire or retreat
the troops withdrew
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to back out (of) or depart (from)
he withdrew from public life
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(intr) to detach oneself socially, emotionally, or mentally
Synonym Usage
See depart.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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withdrawernoun
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withdrawingnessnoun
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nonwithdrawableadjective
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unwithdrawableadjective
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unwithdrawingadjective
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withdrawableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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withdrawsimple
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withdrawssimple
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have withdrawnperfect
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has withdrawnperfect
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am withdrawingprogressive
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are withdrawingprogressive
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is withdrawingprogressive
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have been withdrawingperfect progressive
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has been withdrawingperfect progressive
Past
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withdrewsimple
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had withdrawnperfect
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was withdrawingprogressive
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were withdrawingprogressive
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had been withdrawingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of withdraw
First recorded in 1175–1225, withdraw is from the Middle English word withdrawen. See with-, draw
Explanation
To withdraw is to take something back or remove yourself from a situation. You might withdraw money from the bank or withdraw yourself from an argument if it gets out of hand. The word withdraw comes from Middle English and still means to draw or take back, like if you withdraw your hand when you’re done holding hands with someone. A newer definition of withdraw is to stay away from others or stop participating in something. You might withdraw from society by holing up in your house, or withdraw from school by dropping out. Another way to withdraw is to promise to do something but then change your mind.
Vocabulary lists containing withdraw
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 2
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 1–6
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The ACT Reading Test: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The free trade pact will instead be subject to annual reviews, unless a country decides to withdraw entirely.
From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026
“Most stores are not operating at all. It’s impossible to withdraw cash. Public transportation is running very poorly and in limited numbers.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026
If she threatens to withdraw her affection or becomes agitated or angry, that’s OK too.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 27, 2026
She said the CPS had assumed the pair would identify the complainants on social media and cause them to withdraw from proceedings, but that this was an "inflated assumption of risk".
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026
Now he was drawing near the bridge below, and Frodo’s staring eyes followed him, unable to wink or to withdraw.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
